Bloodsucking Zombies From Outer Space - Decade Of Decay - Gravest Hits Of Bloodsucking Zombies From Outer Space (2012) (9,5/10)

BLOODSUCKING ZOMBIES FROM OUTER SPACE are a quite sympathetic band from Vienna, Austria that has started as a Horror Punk band back in 2002. The band became more and more inspired by the Psychobilly genre though and also included other subgenres in their sound. Musically, the band is inspired by groups like MAD SIN, NEKROMANTIX or THE OTHER. Lyrically, the band is inspired by horror literature and movies and they always honour this genre in a very humorous way. Topics include Dracula's Cadillac, parties at the graveyard, homages to the legendary Grand Guignol theater in Paris and more. Several tracks also include narrative passages from different horror movies, radio plays or interviews. The band stands out for their masquerades and energizing live shows. The four Young men from Vienna though also play a more Blues orientated side which is often shown in acoustic shows.

After 10 years, the band decided to put out a best of release entitled "Decade Of Decay – Gravest Hits". The band put the brandnew and atmospheric song "Decade Of Decay" on the album as well as 15 old tracks. The tracks from the first two studio records have been rerecorded and are much closer to the Psychobilly than to the Horror Punk genre. A good example is my favourite track "A Deeper Shade Of Red." The original version is a sweaty but romantic fast paced song with longing and passionate vocals. The new version kept all the great melodies but sounds much more relaxed and one can distinguish more instrumental details than before. Both versions definitely have their own charm and style and are quite great. If I had to choose, I would pick the original version and a few fans might be slightly disappointed by the new versions. On the other side, I think that the new recordings were a great idea because they add a new touch to the songs and justify this release instead of a simple unoriginal compilation.

This album is a true fun ride, anyway. After a few spins, you feel like singing, thrashing and banging along to all these songs. The catchy up tempo track "Monster Mutant Boogie" for example is an amazing feel good song. It's probably the catchiest song on here and one of the band's biggest hits. "Teenage Universal Creature" and "Dead Eyes" have an amazing Retro Rock influence reminding of Rockabilly and early Rock 'N Roll of the late fifties and early sixties. Black and white images of blond and long haired women dancing along to Rock music with Young men dressed in black costumes instantly came to my mind despite the humorous horror topics of the songs that please me a lot. The fast paced Punk orientated "Eaters Of The Dead" is also highly addicting. The mysterious keybokard driven "Reign Of Devils" with its atmospheric introduction including a choir of girls singing along, a catchy chorus and a few sound experiments is also a song that immediately caught my attention and became one of my favourite tracks on here.

Another true highlight is the last track, a live rendition of the bloody acoustic ballad "Mörder Blues." It's the only track sung in German which gives this song an undeniable charm. In fact, the band employs a strong Austrian dialect that simply sounds amazing. Even though I am German, I had to take a look on the lyrics from time to time to fully understand the intriguing dark romantic topic. That's a quite strange thing. I'm able to understand all kind of French Canadian accents from Cantley to Sept-Îles and from Matane to Dolbeau-Mistassini but Bavarian, Austrian or Swiss accents and even regional dialects are quite hard to be understood not only for me but for most (young) Germans. This accent certainly gives a certain charm to this unique track. I'm surely not the only one who is now hoping for more dark poertic German tracks on the band's future releases because it's original, unique and sounds simply amazing.

In the end, this greatest hits compilation is absolutely essential for Horror Punk and Psychobilly fans and for all those who like alternative short and entertaining mid- to up-tempo music. Horror fans should also spend some time reading the band's lyrics and take a look on their cool video clips and detailed booklets for example. Metal purists might not be interested in this but for all those who like to listen to something different from time to time, this band and in particular this record are highly recommanded.

(Online August 13, 2013)